Garment press



Dec. s, 1925. 1,564,693

J. C. LEDBETTER Dec. 8 1925. A 1,564,693

J. C. LEDBETTER GARMENT PRESS Filed Oct. 27, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED` f STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES C. LEDBETT-ER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO LIBERTY NATIONAL BANK, TRUSTEE, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

GARMENT PRESS.

Application Bled October 27, 1923. Serial No. 671,121.

To f//l 1f/1.0m it may concern Be it known that L-JAMES C. LEDE'i'rER, al citizen ot' the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in thel county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Garment Presses. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pressing machines, and particularly to power pressing machines for garment pressing and laundry pressing work.

An object of the invention is' to produce an improved garment pressing machine having high power pressing mechanism enabling a garment to be thoroughly treated and pressed with great pressure without eiiort on the operators part. A further object is to produce an improved combination pressing machine possessing both manual and power pressing mechanism, being a machine which is' manually closed by the operator and which-automatically turns on its power to produce final pressure without etfort on the part of the operator, and which machine subsequently opens by power, thereby rendering unnecessary the use of counteri l weights or springs to lift the press head. A

, frame 4 of any suitable design and Iuponl further object is to provide an improved press adjustment means whereby the relative position of the press members is conveniently placed under the control of the operator.

The accompanying drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention serving to illustrate'the construction and principle thereof as well as the mode of operation, all of which may be varied -or modified without necessarily departing from the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 illustratesthe pressing machine in side elevation with the power operating mechanism thereof shown in section.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view on the line 2-2.

Figure 3 shows a detailed sectional view of a motor employed to lopen the press by power.

Referring now.more particularly to the drawing for a detailed description of the invention, there is shown a pressing machine which may be mounted a press buck 5. A

press hea 6 is carried onthe forward end of a press lever 7 which is vpivotedat 8 on the frame- 4; and it is observed how the head 6 and buck 5 provides co-operating press members which open and close in movable relation for the purpose of pressing garments. Suitable steam-heating and steamspraying means may be provided for either or both said press members and 6 for treating the garments. A hand-hold piece, or handle 9, is provided by which the operator manually closes the head .6 down upon the buck 5. The press lever 7 may be provided on the rear end thereof with a counter- HEISSUED weight 10 which 'balances the press head 6 thereby preferably causing the press lever 7 to stand poised at any vparticular place, which enables the operator to quickly close the head 6 down upon the buck 5. This particular construction and mode ot' operation constituting a part of my invention enables a pressing machine of this character to be produced without necessarily employing springs or over-balancing weights to lift the head 6 after the press operation is completed, and thus I have described the preferred construction as being so arranged that the counter-weight 10 and head 6 substantially balances one with the other.

A main operating toggle constituting pivotally joined links 12 and 13 is pivoted at its upper end at 14 to the press lever 7 and 'at its lower end upon a. cam 15 supported in the frame. The cam is iXed to a shaft 16,

wheel 20. A reach rod 22 provided with a hand wheel 23 is fixed to the worm 21, thereby venabling the operator standing at the front of the machine to rotate the worm' 21, which shifts the cam eccentric element 15 up and down to vary or regulate the-height of the toggle 12 and 13; and this movement adjustably varies the relative position of the4 pressing members 5 `and 6 thereby rendering the machine most eliiclent in operatlon for j the various kinds and thicknesses of garment pressingA work. By turning the hand wheel 23, the'cam 15 vmay be elevated or rotated in be discharged or exhausted therefrom to the either direction to bring-the cam up to its higher or lower position to adapt the press to thinneror thicker garments.

A power cylinder 25 is arranged over the forward end of the power arm 19 and may be anchored tothe frame 4; and the cylinder carries a freely floating unattached piston 26. A substantially soft coil compression spring 27 is interposed between the piston and lower end of the cylinder and functions to return the piston A26 to its upper-most normal position. A push rod 29 is pivoted at 30 to the power arm and has a contact head 31 which is engaged by the piston 26 when the machine is operating under power. The piston 26 is usually held in a position slightly above the push rod head, for in designing this pressing machine improvement' I have so constructed it that the manual operation involved in closing the head 6l down upon the buck is carried out without moving the pistons in the one or more cylinders employed, the object thereof being to reduce friction of mo-ving parts, thereby rendering the pressing machine more easily closed. The lower end of the cylinder 25 is provided with an open head which permits the push rod 29 to freely move up and down in the cylinder when the operator manually closes the head by pulling downwardly on the handle 9.'

A power press opening cylinder or motor 33 is connected with a pipe 34 to the upper end of the cylinder 25 whereby the steam employed to operate the cylinder 25 may cylinder 33 for breaking the toggle and raising the head by force of the exhaust from the cylinder 25. The press head lifting motor 33 is fitted with a piston 35 which carries a valve stem 36 as an integral partthereof. The stemt36 works back and forth through a cylinder head 37 during the movement of the piston 35 in the cylinder 33. A soft coil spring 38 is confined between the piston 35 and cylinder head 37 for the purpose of returning the piston 35 to its normal position near the forward end of the cylinder 33 to save the operator moving the piston during the manual closing stroke; and after the press headhas been lifted to its uppermost position by the action of the piston 35, the spring 38 returns it to the other end of the -cylinder 33.l The motor 33 is fitted with a and sealing a piston exhaust passage 41l without. loss of steam pressurewhen the piston is pushing against the .push rod 39 to lift the head 6. However, after the piston passes beyond certain provided auxiliary i exhaust ports 42 in the cylinder, the pressure of steam act-ing on the piston is dissipated suiciently to permit the spring permits the piston to quickly return to the forward or right hand end of the cylinder 33; and so when it comes time to close the press, the piston '35 hasJ already passed out of the way of all manually operating parts thus saving the operators efforts. and permitting the push rod 39 to tra-vel through the cylinder head 37 and approach the front end of the cylinder 33 where the ball valve headed rod 39 tak-es up aposition over the, end of the valve stem 36 closing the cxhaust passage 41 to again make ready for another power opening operation.

A cushion spring 43 isprovided at thc forward end ofthe cylinder against which the piston 35 comes to rest in a manner designed to closely fit the push rod head 44 over the piston valve exhaust passage 4l when the pressing` machine closes.- and thus seal the exhaust 41 so that steam or air under pressure entering the motor 33 willl positively act. The push rod head 44 performs the double function of sealing the passage 41 and taking the thrust of the piston 35, and it moves freely through a central opening made in the cylinder head 37. It is to be appreciated that this pressing machine is manually closed by the operator only.` and no pressing is actually7 done by him, for by the time the push rod 39 and piston 35 reach the spring cushion 43, the power cylinder 25 will have been automatically turned on to perform the real work tof -pressing as will be described.

- A steam'or air pressure supply main 46 not l only supplies steam to the pressing members .5 and 6 butJ conveys steam to the cylinder 25 as well; and a valve 47 cuts olf and turns on the steam to operate the cylinder. The operation of the valve 47 is automatically accomplished through theL agency of a control rod 48 pivotally connected at its lower end to the power arm 19. The upper end of the rod 48 connects through -a pull spring 49 with a valve handle 50 designed to operate the valve 47 with a quick snap closed and snap opened action when the power arm is manually worked `up and down respectively. A power control opening pedal 52 is pivoted on :the frame and connects with an exhaust valve 53 included in the exhaust pipev 34, andthis pedal controls the press opening action. A spring 54 is placed to hold the valve 53 normally closed and the pedal 52 up. A link 51 or other suitable means connects the pedal 52 and exhaust valve 53.

Cil

In operation the head is closed by hand motor means to the closed press, and power power onto the garment spread upon the buck, and by the time the head and buck are in contact, the pull spring 49 is under suiiicient tension to quickly open the valve 47 which permits steam to flow to the cylinder and drive the piston 2G down to overtake the push rod 29 which action automatically completes the operation of straightening the toggle 12-13 to produce extreme head and buck pressure. At the same time this movement of parts occur. the other push rod 39 takes up a position in contact with the valve stem 36 as hereinbefore described and las shown in position in Figure 3. Having pressed, steamed. and dried the garment on the buck, the operator nowidepresses the pedal 52 which discharges'steam or the other pressure from the cylinder 25 into the cylinder 38 quickly opening the press by the power of the exhaust from the power cylinder and lifting the head without springs or weights or manual effort. L

In order to avoid undue slamming of parts or too quickly opening the press, the power cylinder is provided- With an air cushion dashpot in effect already described. The dashpot consists of the cylinder head 37 together with the piston 35 and valve stem 36 which produces an air lock between the parts 37 and 35 when the piston valve stem 36 moves into sliding fit with the head 37 thus confining air thereinbetween under pressure which increases rapidly until the movement of parts is stopped against the air cushion. At this time the ports 42 are uncovered to vent both cylinders 25 and 33 which permits both pistons to move away from the push rods to the upper` and front ends of the cylinders freeing the press of any piston or cylinder connections and thus setting the machine for the neXt operation. A dashpot regulating valve 55 is placed in the da-shpot end of the motor for the purpose of regulating the escape of compressed air to quietly bring the head, press lever, and other pa'rts to rest in open and up position.

lt is desirable to make power presses operate manually as far as closing the press is concerned vior it the closing stroke is eXecuted by power, there is danger of an accident `for the operator may by chance get his hands between the jaws or head ,and buck of the press. This danger is always avoided when the operator is compelled to bring his hands up to the handle 9 to close the press. The closing operation is very easily accomplished for the press lever is balanced, yand there exists no friction of moving parts.`

What I claim is 1. A pressing machine comprising in combination, cooperating press members, means to close the press manually, means to produce nal pressure by the application of means for raising one press member high above the other from closed pressing position to fully opened position.

'3. A pressing machine comprising in combination. cooperating press members, means to close the press manually, means to pro-- duce final pressure by the application of motor means to the closed press, power means for raising one press member high above the other from closed pressing position to fully openedl position, and a dashpot cushion to retard the opening movement ot the press member.

3. A pressing machine comprising in com- 'hinatioin cooperating press members. means to close the press manually, means to produce iinal pressure by the application of motor means to thel closed press, power means for raising one press member high above the other from closed pressing position to fully opened position, and a dashpot cushion made an integral part of the power press opening 4. A pressing machine comprising .in combination, cooperating press members, means to close the press manually, means to produce final pressure by the application of motor means to the closed press. power means for raising one press member high abovethe other from closed pressing position to fully opened position, and a hand wheel regulating device for varying the cooperative relative pressing position of the press members.

5. A pressing machine comprising in combination, cooperating press members, means to close the presslmanually, means to produce i'inal pressure by the application of motor means to the closed press, power meansV for raising one press member high above the other from closed pressing position to fully opened position, a toggle connected with the said one press member being raised, a cam pivot bearing supporting the toggle, and a hand regulating device to adjustably rotate the cam. I

'6. A pressing machine comprising in combination, cooperating press members, means to close the press manually, means to pro- ,duce final pressure by the application of motor means to the closed press, power means for raising one press member high above the other from closed pressing position to fully opened position, a press lever carrying one of the members, said manually closing means constituting a handle carried on oneiof the press members, and a counterbalance 'weight carried on the press lever to balance the operable press member.

7. A pressing machine comprising in combination, a frame, a bell crank pivoted therein, a press lever operated by one end of the bell crank, cooperating press members operable yto open and close by the action of i eficaces the press lever, a power cylinder connected to the other end of the hell crank to close the press members, and motor means driven by the exhaust of the power cylinder` to rock the bell crank to open the press.

8. A pressing machine comprising in combination, a frame, a bell crank pivoted therein, a press lever operated by one end of the bell crank, cooperating press members op- `erable to open and close by the' action of the press lever. a power cylinder connected to the other end' of the bell crank to operate the press members, motor means driven by the exhaust of the power cylinder to rock the bell crank to open the press, an adjust able pivot supporting the bell crank, and means operable from the front of the Inachine for adjusting the pivot to vary the closing pressure of the press members.

9. A pressing machine comprising in comxbination, a frame, a press lever pivoted therein, cooperating press members operable by the lever to open and close the press, a toggle connected to the press member," a power arm fixed to the toggle, manually closing press means, a power pressure motor connected to the power arm, means to automatically turn on the power motor at the end of the manual closing operation, a motor arranged to open the press by power, a manrally operable means designed to control the motor, and means to automatically cut o' the power motor when the press opening motor begins to act.

1.0. A pressing machine comprising'` in combination, a frame, a press lever pivoted therein, cooperating press members operable by the lever to open and close the press, ,a toggle connected to the press member, a power arm fixed to the toggle, manually closing press means. a power pressure motor connected to the power arm, means to automatically turn on the power motor at the end of the manual closing operation, a motor arranged to openithe press by power, a manually operable means designed to control the motor, megs to automatically cut off the y power motor when the press opening motor begins to act, a dashpot embodying a cylinder, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder, and means for returning the piston to "rest at one end of the cylinder without disturbing the closed position of the press members.

11. A pressing machine comprising in combination, cooperative opening and closing press members, power cylinders connected with the press members, fluid supply means running to one cylinder to produce cxtreme pressure, an exhaust connection extending from the cylinder prdducing eX- treme pressure to the other cylinder which acts to open the press by power, and manual press closing means.

. 12. A pressing lmachine comprising in combination, cooperative opening and closing press members, Ypower cylinders conrected with the press members, Huid supply means running to one cylinder to produce cxtreme pressure, an exhaust connection extending from the cylinder producing extreme pressure to the other cylinder which acts to open the pressy by power, manual press closing means which governs the fluid supply means, and manual control means controlling the operation of the exhaust connection.

13. A garment press comprising in combination cooperating press members, a power cylinder, a piston freely floating therein, a push rod engaging the piston and tonnecting with the members to produce pressure, and means acting on the piston to return it to normal inactiveposition after producing final pressure.

14. A garment press comprising in comhination cooperating press members, a power cylinder, a piston freely floating therein, a push rod engaging the piston and connecting with the members to produce pressure. means vacting on the piston to return it to normal inactive position after producing final pressure, and ,another cylinder connected with the press members adapted to open the press.

15.1A garment press comprising in com- ;ination cooperating press members, a power cylinder. a piston freely floating therein, a push rod engaging the piston and connecting with the members to produce pressure, means acting on the piston to return it to normal inactive position after producing final pressure, another cylinder connected with the press members adapted to open the press, and a connection existing between lthe two cylinders enabling theexhaust of one cylinder to operate the other cylinder.

16. A garment press comprising in combination cooperating press members, a power cylinder. a piston freely floating therein, a push rod engaging the piston and connecting with the members to produce pressure, means acting on the piston 'to return it to normal inactive position after producing final pressure, another cylinder connected with the press members adapted to open the press. a connection existing between the two Ycylinders enabling the exhaust of one cylinder to operate the other cylinder, and manual control means adapted to open and close the said connection. y

17. A garment pressing machine comprising in combination, pressing members designed to open and close one against the other, a hand operated vmeans designed for safely closing the press, a power cylinder, a piston freely floating therein, a push connecting rod extending from the piston to one pressing member adapted to produce high pressure, a lost `motion connection provided between the piston and Vpressing membersice Lne-aegis cylinder to produce high pressure andthen returnsl to normal inactive position, and a power press opening means operable from the cylinder.

19. A garment pressing machine comprising in combination, pressing members del turns to normal inactive position, a power4 siglned to open and close one against the ot er, a hand operated means designed for safelyN closing the press, a power cylinder, a

piston freely ioating therein, a push connecting rod extending from the piston to one pressing 'member adapted to produce high pressure, a lost motion connection provided between the piston and pressing members whereby the piston pushes through the cyl inder to produce high pressure and then repress opening means operable'from the cylinder and comprising a cylinder and/piston motor, a venting walve in the press opening means, and lmeanscausing the piston to return to normal positionafter the venting means has acted.

20. -A garment, pressing machine comprising in combination, pressing members designed to open and close one against the ot er, a hand operated means adapted to safely close the press, motor means adapted to act on the closed press to produce final pressure, a power press opening means connectelwith the pressing members, and a dashpot adapted to bring the moving parts quiet y to rest.

21. A garment pressing machine comprising in combination, pressing members designed to open and close one against theI other, a hand operated means adapted for safely closing the ress,` motor means adapted to act on the c osedpress to produce iinal pressure, a power press opening means connected with the members, a dashpot adapted to bring the moving parts quietly to rest, and means related with the press opening means to return said means to nor-A mal position immediately after the press has opened.

22. A pressing machine comprisin in combination co-operating pressing mem ers, a toggle having one end thereof 'pivotally attached to one of the pressingr members, an i adjustable pivot supporting the other end of the toggle,.means reaching from the adjustable pivot upwardly to a position convenient to an 'operator whereby the -height of the -toggle may be regulated to vary the pressure between the pressing members, and means for operating the toggle.

23. A pressing machine comprising in combination co-operating pressing members, a .toggle having one end thereof pivotally attac ed to vone of the pressingmembers, an adjustable pivot supporting the other end of the toggle, means 'reaching from the ad` justable pivot upwardly 4to a position convenient to Aan operator whereby the` height of the toggle may be regulated to vary the pressure between the pressing members, andy manual means for closing the press andoperating the toggle.

24. A pressing machine comprising in combination, co-operating ypressing members, a .toggle employed to open and close the press, a cam pivot related with the toggle, means connected with the cam `pivot for rotating the cam to alter the position of the toggle to vary the pressure between the pressing members",v a reach rod extending y from the means to the front of the pressing machine, means on the end of the reach rod for rotating said rod, and toggle operating means. i

25. A pressing machine comprising in combination, a frame, cooperating pressing members carried thereby, a cam pivot rotatably carried on the frame, a press closing mechanism supported on the cam pivot and connected with a pressing member, a worm wheel and pinion connected with the cam,

and pinion to the operators position.

and a reach rod extending from the worm j 

